5 ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers for smoother, softer skin and hair

Cranberry sauce can hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and redness.

Sweet potatoes have vitamin A and beta-carotene, which strengthen your hair.

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving, aside from the ridiculous amounts of I-shouldn't-eat-that-but-I-just-did food, is finally having the time to test the crazy DIYs I've had pinned to my Pinterest board for months. I'll pretty much try any homemade beauty treatment once. And yes, covering yourself with food from your pantry seems a little weird, but these clever uses for leftovers are packed with good-for-you ingredients that will (actually) leave you looking glow-y…and smelling good.

Pumpkin face scrub

You already know that pumpkin makes the world a better place (hello, PSLs), but you may be surprised to learn that it's also pretty awesome for your skin. "The enzymes in pumpkin metabolize the top layer of dead skin cells, which makes it a great exfoliator," says facialist Kate Somerville. "And because it doesn't penetrate as deeply as glycolic or salicylic acids, it's a gentle option for sensitive skin." To make a mask at home, mix two tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin with one tablespoon of a moisturizing oil, like jojoba or coconut, and apply the mixture to clean skin. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Cranberry mask

Even though cranberries are often the least popular guests at the holiday table, there's no denying they work wonders on the skin. Cranberries have vitamins B3 and B5, which hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and redness, making them the perfect base for a winter face mask. Beauty entrepreneur Indie Lee suggests combining a cup of mashed cranberries with half a cup of plain yogurt (which contains naturally exfoliating lactic acid). Apply it to your face and neck, and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Champagne volumizer

Instead of dumping out the half-full bottles of flat champagne from last night's party, try using the remaining booze as a quickie hair treatment. In the shower, pour a glass over damp hair, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. It sounds a little silly, but champagne actually helps give your highlights a boost, and the carbonation plumps up fine strands and leaves a shiny finish.

Apple cider vinegar hair rinse

With so much hype about ACV and its power to help clear up skin, turns out that the magical elixir is also good for your hair. "It contains nutrients such as vitamins B, C, and potassium, balances your scalp and hair's natural pH levels," says Timm Golueke, founder of Royal Fern skin care. "It can prevent dryness and will revitalize dull hair as it gently removes build-up and impurities. INOAR Professional founder Inocência Manoel adds, Apple cider vinegar has properties that help fight bacteria and fungi that cause dandruff and itching. It also helps untangle hair, soften it, and leave it more malleable." Make your own hair rinse with ACV and water, adding together two tablespoons of each. After shampooing and conditioning, run the mixture through your hair, massaging into the scalp. Let sit for five minutes and rinse with cold water.

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Sweet potato hair mask

Whether you love them or not, think about this the next time a plate of sweet potatoes are passed around the table: they are a significant source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, which is great for healthy, shiny hair. Besides being a beauty food, this veggie in specific makes for an awesome hair mask. Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and inventor of the Beachwaver Co. shares the steps to make your own: take one large sweet potato and heat it up in the microwave to soften. Then, add one cup of full-fat yogurt, one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of olive oil into a blender. Once all the ingredients are mixed, apply it to hair and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Potempa notes, "If you have very dry hair, you can also add two to three tablespoons of coconut cream with the rest of the ingredients for extra hydration."

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